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What is the most priceless gift you can offer to someone? Health, of course! This is precisely what Héma-Québec encourages Quebecers to do from December 4, 2006 to January 7, 2007. During its holiday season campaign under the theme “Share a unique gift. Give blood. Give life.”, Héma-Québec's team will visit many regions of Québec to welcome thousands of blood donors.

On November 17, Dr. Francine Décary, Héma-Québec's Chief Executive Officer, received the title of honour of Ambassador 2006 at the 12th Outreach Gala of the Université de Sherbrooke. Close to 350 guests took part in this event, where 13 people, including 11 graduates from that university, were honoured.

Héma-Québec is joining the Canadian Forces in a blood donation campaign across Canada in November 2006. Organized in collaboration with the Canadian Blood Services, the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Legion, this campaign is being held for the fifth year.

Celebrating its 8th birthday on September 28, Héma-Québec had bestowed a vision upon itself when it was created: to become a leader in its field by 2005. It is from that angle that Héma-Québec has released its annual report for 2005-2006. Reviewing its accomplishments, one cannot help but notice that Héma-Québec stood out in its field, thus achieving its initial goal, in Canada as well as in North America.

Blood donations are a daily concern for patients who must get blood transfusions. To remind the population of the constant need for blood products and encourage everyone to make this priceless gesture, Héma-Québec has launched on September 18 its new blood donation awareness campaign.

Héma-Québec's team is deeply saddened for the victims and their families who have gone through the drama that took place at Dawson College. Up to now, Héma-Québec has been able to come up to the numerous demands from hospitals where injured people were sent.

For the first time in 2006, Héma-Québec’s West Nile virus (WNV) screening test has detected the presence of WNV in a blood donation collected in the Le Gardeur sector of Repentigny on August 22, 2006. No blood products derived from the donation have been used, and they have been subsequently destroyed. Both the donor and public health authorities have been notified. The donor concerned has been prohibited from donating blood for 56 days. At the end of this temporary prohibition period, the virus will no longer be present in the donor’s blood.

Héma-Québec launches its major summer campaign and recognizes World Blood Donor Day

Montréal, June 11, 2006

Why go short-sleeved? To always be ready to give blood and help save a life—or several lives. This is the sunny theme for Héma-Québec’s 2006 summer campaign, which runs from June 12 to September 10, and aims to encourage Quebecers to give blood, even in the summer and during their vacation.

Today, Senator Terry Mercer (Nova Scotia-Northend Halifax) reintroduced a public bill in the Senate to declare National Blood Donor Week each year in the week that coincides with World Blood Donor Day on June 14th. The original bill was put forward in May of 2005 but it died on the Order Paper when the January 2006 election was called.

Héma-Québec recognizes the commitment of volunteers to maintaining the blood supply

Montréal, April 25, 2006

As part of National Volunteer Week that runs from April 23–29, Héma-Québec would like to remind the public that volunteer action is absolutely essential for maintaining Québec’s blood supply. In addition to the 320,000 individuals who voluntarily give blood every year, Héma-Québec relies on the generous contribution of thousands of people, throughout Québec, who support its endeavours by recruiting donors, organizing blood drives or volunteering their services at the blood donor clinics.

Héma-Québec has passed the annual inspection of its Québec facilities. Consequently, inspectors of Health Canada maintained its establishment licence. The yearly procedural audit took place between February 6 and February 10, 2006. Throughout the audit of the Québec facilities, the Health Canada inspectors noted that the safety of blood components is a priority for all Héma-Québec personnel. Health Canada inspects each facility of Héma-Québec once a year to ensure compliance with safety measures and with the requirements stipulated in its establishment licence.

Montréal, January 25, 2006 – In order to maintain the safety of the blood product reserve, Héma-Québec has decided to shut down the blood drive that was in full swing today at McGill University’s William Shatner University Centre (3480 McTavish Street).

Hundreds of volunteers from various partner organizations around Québec held more than 200 blood clinics during the Héma-Québec “Share a unique gift. Give blood. Give life.” holiday campaign, which ran from November 28, 2005 to January 6, 2006. Donors turned out in force, enabling Héma-Québec to maintain the blood reserve at very high levels.

Héma-Québec’s Board of Directors appointed Cheryl Campbell Steer, President of Campbell Steer & Associés, to the position of Chairperson at its December 14 meeting. Ms. Campbell Steer has represented the business community on the Board of Directors since she was appointed to the Board in 1999, and has held a number of functions, notably as chair of Héma-Québec’s Audit Committee.